MOTHER S DAY CULTURAL RESOURCES

Similar documents
Sunday, February 24, Epiphany Worship at 9:30 AM GATHERING

Packin Up. I m packin up getting ready to go (2x) Oh packin up getting ready to go I m packin up getting ready to go

verse 1 Chorus Verse 2

Remembering their journey. epitaphs

Watch, O Watch J. P. N.

Shortly before my father died in June of 2005 the age of ninety-one, he accepted

God is like an eagle that hovers over its young and spreads its wings to catch them. Deuteronomy 32: 11 NIV

Second Presbyterian Church ORDER FOR THE. PUBLIC WORSHIP of GOD

Order of Worship October 7, 2018

Master of Ceremonies Example. Nina s Garden. We gather to remember the little things that made a special place in our heart.

A Christmas Play for Tone Chimes and Students

Welcome to City Reformed Presbyterian Church

LORD, LET YOUR MERCY BE ON US

In Loving Memory of. Sunrise: March 13, 1944 Sunset: March 9, Thursday, March 19, :00 a.m. Cotton Funeral Service

The Lord s Service April 15, 2018 *All who are able, please stand.

Who Needs a Word from the Lord? A sermon by Joseph S. Harvard

Laughing at God s Promises: Genesis Ben Reaoch, Three Rivers Grace Church Sunday morning, November 4, 2007

Worship Schedule Spring Session

Better" (Hezekiah Walker) People go Your life has been Out of control You're confused Don't worry your soul

What God s Revival Music Does

Music for September 21, Proper 20 Monday, 25 August 2008

WE INVITE YOU TO SIGN THE WHITE ATTENDANCE PAD so that we may celebrate your presence with us today!

Lyrics. Open Up the Heavens. We've waited for this day We're gathered in your name Calling out to you

Sermon for March 4, Lent Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38 by Wilma Neal

The Storms of Life by Rev. Kathy Sides (Preached at Fort Des Moines UMC )

Alma Mater A Sermon by Jeff Carlson St. Pauls UCC, Chicago April 17, 2016

Four Line Memorial Verse

Who-Ville: Sweet Cindy Lou Who Luke 1:39-56 Rev. Thomas G. James Washington Street UMC December 16, 2018

JESUS IS REAL Words and Music by John P. Kee

THE PROMISED MESSIAH

Name of Deceased (Address if required) who died on... aged... years R.I.P.

Fanny Crosby. And Her Great Love for Jesus. Waa! But when Fanny was only six weeks old, she became very sick.

Help Me, Momma! Dr. Jerry Hillenburg Hope Baptist Church 1055 N. Girls School Road Indianapolis, IN HBCIndy.com

The Lord s Service August 26, 2018 *All who are able, please stand.

A Remembrance of Our Mothers. An Installation By Miriam J. Goldfarb Adat Ari El Sisterhood Van Nuys, CA

A Disciple s Path: The Way of Grace

Stay Sane HOW TO. WHEN LIFE DOESN T MAKE SENSE by J. O. and Juanita Purcell

i explore i go Merry Christmas!! Joy to the World

Tree Art. Creations Craft Class. What s in your packet? 3 HRS.

MOTHER S DAY AND PENTECOST

CULTURAL RESOURCES. Joyce Nichols-Savage, Guest Cultural Resources Commentator Associate Minister, Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee

Abba Prays Abba Father. The Name of the Game Abba reaches out to a new friend 2001 by David J. Landegent

My Hope is in the Lord

When Faith Overcomes Fear Behind the Veil: Women of the Bible Exodus 2: Pastor Ray Baker

First Presbyterian Church of Kissimmee, Florida Dr. Frank Allen, Pastor 3/16/08. Matthew 26:36-46 (NRSV)

Down Home Gospel Volume 1

Persistent Women: Miriam Exodus 2:1-10 Rev. Thomas G. James Washington Street UMC September 9, 2018

Amazing Grace Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a soul like me I once was lost but now I m found Was blind but now I see

HER I T A G E. Presbyterian Church. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream Jeremiah 17:8

THE MEANING IS IN THE WAITING Abraham & Sarah Waiting for an Heir Layne Lebo November 27, 2017

PUBLIC WORSHIP of GOD

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY FEBRUARY 5, 2017, 11:15AM PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH SAGINAW, MI WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

P R A Y J O U R N A L

THE SILENCE OF GOD Job 23:1-9, October 11 th, 2015 As I was working on this sermon, I came across a meditation in a book titled A Season of

Allison Moorer Crows Lyrics Sheet

Learn the Psalms Format 2013

Paul Is Arrested in Jerusalem Lesson Aim: To know God gives us courage to share our own stories about Him and defend the truth.

The Longest Night A Gathering on the Winter Solstice Monday, December 21, 2015

Thine Is The Kingdom

Worship Service Fourth Sunday of Lent: PRAYER

Girls Friendly Society World Day of Prayer

Sermon by Bob Bradley

Sermon for the 2 nd Sunday in Lent. Under God's Wings

How To Weather The Storm of Life

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS/LEADERS (AND CELEBRATION OF ALL CHURCH LEADERS)

JESUS AND WOMEN LECTIONARY COMMENTARY

Welcome to Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church. May God bless you and your worship today. Visiting?

Into Orbit Propaganda Child Look Up, I'm Down There Sunset Devastation Open With Caution Furious Numbers...

Worship Celebration: April 1, 2018, 11:15 a.m. (TRADITIONAL) EPWORTH: a United Methodist Church Easter Sunday

Funeral Planning Guide Salem Lutheran Church Hitterdal, MN

Spoken Word no. 239 Waiting for the promise Brian Kocourek, Pastor April 6 th, 2011

CELEBRATING THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES

MOTHER S DAY LECTIONARY COMMENTARY

Preparing for Worship

2:8 The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.

Hixson Presbyterian Church November 11, 2018

SORROWFUL MOTHER 7-DAY MEDITATION OR NOVENA. The Sorrowful Mother Stood. Virgin Most Sorrowful, Pray for us. September 8 September 14

The Gift. By Wayland Jackson

Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder Text: John Newton, Music: Laura Taylor CCLI#

Sending. Fourth Sunday in Lent March 5-6, pm Service of Word and Sacrament 3/5 9:30am Service of Word and Sacrament 3/6

Achievement Picnic 2017 Lyrics

Not Alone. A collection of devotions for single mothers. by Linda D. Bartlett. Page 1 Not Alone

.. Daily Devotions Devotions November 26 December 2, 2017 By Pam Durbin First Lutheran Church, Gladstone, MI

Making Prayer a Priority

Welcome to Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church. May God bless you and your worship today. Visiting?

I Samuel 1-3 Samuel s Early Life

The Presence of Your Spirit (Copyright Len Magee 1974)

The King Has Come. An Advent Devotional Veritas Church, 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Advent in your church Advent in your home...

In the Darkness Grace

Casting Crowns Lifesong Study

Sermon for Easter Sunday, March 31, John 20:1-18. Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

PSALM 57 Reading Guide. February 2-8, 2014

in how to live, it calls them to repentance and enables them to experience forgiveness, it shows them how to love God and neighbor.

ORDER OF WORSHIP January 15, nd Sunday after Epiphany

The 1 st Commandment Seventh Sunday after Epiphany February 19, 2017 Gordon Wiersma. Text: Leviticus 19 & Matthew 5

Spiritual AND Religious May 27, 2018

Faith & Life Discovery Journal Do You Love Me? - Week of May 8, 2011 John 21:15-19

Paul Is Arrested in Jerusalem Lesson Aim: To know God wants us to share our own stories about Him.

Immanuel Lutheran Funeral Planning Guide. Immanuel Lutheran Church Princeton, Minnesota

We never read the Bible by ourselves. Even if you go on a long hike

Transcription:

MOTHER S DAY CULTURAL RESOURCES Sunday, May 8, 2011 Maria Mallory White, Guest Cultural Resources Commentator Former executive editor, The African American Pulpit Journal I. The History Section Some scholars believe the mother of Mother s Day observance can be traced to a festival honoring Mother of Gods that was observed through Greece into Rome about 250 years before Christ. With the birth and spread of the Christian church, that festival was invested with a new spirit and transformed so that it became a celebration of the Mother Church, and the faithful would bring gifts to the church on MidLent Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent. Eventually, this practice evolved into Mothering Sunday, when young male and female servants and apprentices were allowed to visit their parents, bearing gifts in particular for their mothers. 1 1

It was hundreds of years before an official observance of Mother s Day reached the United States. The second Sunday in May was declared a national holiday honoring mothers by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. 2 II. Songs That Speak to the Moment Faith of Our Mothers Faith of our mothers, living still In cradle song and bedtime prayer; In nursery lore and fireside love, Thy presence still pervades the air: Faith of our mothers, living faith! We will be true to thee to death. Faith of our mothers, loving faith, Fount of our childhood s trust and grace, Oh, may thy consecration prove Source of a finer, nobler race: Faith of our mothers, living faith, We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our mothers, guiding faith, For youthful longing, youthful doubt, How blurred our vision, blind our way, Thy providential care without: Faith of our mothers, guiding faith, We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our mothers, Christian faith, Is truth beyond our stumbling creeds, Still serve the home and save the Church, And breathe thy spirit through our deeds: Faith of our mothers, Christian faith! We will be true to thee till death. 3 Will the Circle Be Unbroken CHORUS: Can the circle be unbroken, By and by, Lord, bye and bye? There s a better home a-waiting In the sky, Lord, in the sky. I was standing by the window On one cold and cloudy day; 2

And I saw the hearse come rolling For to carry my mother away. Lord, I told the undertaker, Undertaker, please drive slow, For this body you are hauling, Lord, I hate to see her go. I followed close behind her, Tried to hold up and be brave, But I could not hide my sorrow When they laid her in the grave. Went back home, Lord. My home was lonesome Since my mother, she was gone, All my brothers, sisters crying. What a home so sad and lone! Now my mother, she s crossed over Where so many have gone before; And I know, Lord, I will meet her Just waiting at glory s door. 4 Every Day Is Like Mother s Day Every day feels like Mother s May She is with me in my heart I can often hear hear my mother s voice We will never ever be apart (repeat) Verse I never can forget on Christmas morning When my family would all gather around our house Mama would sit over there in her big old rocking chair She would speak so softly and so kind yeah yeah yes Lord I thank you I thank you for all my children Every one of them yes you gave each one of them to me So I try to be a very good mother I even forgot I forgot all about my needs Every day feels like Mother s Day She is with me in my heart I can often hear hear my mother s voice We will never ever be apart 3

She gave me my start (gave me my start) I m gonna keep her in my heart (here to my heart) My love for my mother (it will never depart) Mama showed me the right way (showed me the way) By the path that she laid (by the path she laid) I think about my mother (every day) Mama gave me her love (gave me her love) Then when she went on to glory on the wings (wings of a dove) Now she s looking down on me (from up above) She s looking down on me Every day feels like Mother s Day She is with me in my heart I can often hear hear my mother s voice We will never ever be apart. 5 III. Autobiographical Story/Personal Testimony I was reared by a first-born-of-six, exceedingly intelligent, at times unflinchingly frank, and most always defiantly independent Black woman. Even after she surrendered to her call to ministry and then took on the mantle of preaching and pastoring, the Rev. Joyce C. Mallory was never fully delivered from her inability to receive unsolicited advice, counsel, and commands. Many of us know our mothers to have some special facial expressions that signal when their Don t go there! attitudes are dangerously rising. My mother s fiercest looks were reserved for those who tried to tell her what she should do and what she should think; she just didn t play that. Over the years, I have learned that dirty looks aside my mother was actually on to something. It s not a bad idea for a sistah to think for herself, even when it comes to matters of religion, theology, and the Bible. The Bible itself is a patriarchal text, explains the Rev. A. Nevell Owens, who teaches in the religion department at Florida A&M University. It was primarily written by men, interpreted by men, primarily white men in this country, and that interpretation depreciates women in general and black women specifically. Because of Black women s experience living in a patriarchal and sexist society, Owens adds, when it comes to biblical interpretation they need to have their own voice and maintain their own perspective on what it s like living life as a Black woman in America. In fact, many a devout churchwoman made her mark on the historical continuum of the uplift, liberation, and fight toward human dignity and full personhood of Black folk Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Jarena Lee, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, etc., etc. because she refused to be dictated to, told how to act or think, especially when folk used the Bible to justify keeping our community enslaved, oppressed, or otherwise shackled. 4

In the world of academia, such independence has given rise to womanist theology, a relatively new development in liberation theology that emerged in the halls of education during the 1980s and 1990s. But as evidenced by my mother s reaction and that of many a strong Black woman, womanist theology predates its emergence in the halls of the academy. The term itself, womanist, was coined by poet/novelist/feminist/pulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker, who plucked it from an old Black folk expression, You acting womanish. Here is her definition, in part, as recorded in her book In Search of Our Mother s Gardens: Womanist Prose: 1. From womanish (Opposite of girlish, i.e., frivolous, irresponsible, not serious.) A black feminist or feminist of color. From the Black folk expression of mothers to female children, You acting womanish, i.e., like a woman. Usually referring to outrageous, audacious, courageous or willful behavior. Wanting to know more and in greater depth than is considered good for one. Interested in grown-up doings. Acting grown up. Being grown up. Interchangeable with another Black folk expression: You trying to be grown. Responsible. In charge. Serious. 6 It wasn t until I was in graduate school that I learned of the term womanist, but what I quickly realized was that I had been raised by one and raised to be one! Now, in my own ministry, I encourage sistahs to look at the Bible unapologetically from the vantage point of their experiences as Black women and the testimonies of other Black women they know. I have learned that reading sacred texts and taking in the valuable witness of my foremothers means sharing in the realities and faith experiences of women like me. That s important because there is no one-size-fits-all engagement with the Bible. Interpreting the divine is personal just as personal as your particular Sunday morning shout, or the way the tears fall when your heart is overflowing with unspeakable joy, or the dance of ecstatic praise that takes over when you least expect it, or even the run that hits your feet even when no one is chasing you. Let someone dictate how I should worship and praise? Not hardly. Take as gospel what someone else says they think I should do and what they think I should think when it comes to Scripture? Don t go there! 7 I write in journal form many of my prayers to and conversations with the LORD. I started prayer journaling in 1995 at the suggestion of my mother. A devoted prayer-journal keeper herself, my mother was convinced that journaling would help us recognize through faith our need to depend and act on God s promises, not God s Yes answers to our prayers. I would later come to not only desire the conviction but also the motivation for journaling that Rev. Dr. Renita Weems once shared with Rev. Dr. Jessica Ingram: Write til it hurts, and then write til it heals. 5

In this installment, I acknowledge some 10 years later the still-lingering pain of my mother s absence, even while I celebrate the rich and ongoing blessings of our LORD. Once again, I found God s grace sufficient, God s love steadfast and eternal. 8.8.06 12:18 p.m. Abba Daddy God: As I cry, I have tried in the shower just now to rationalize, philosophize, theologize away my feelings, but I have to be real, record the truth: I feel lonely in this pregnancy without my mother. God forgive me. I wracked my brain trying to think of who might understand and relate. At the moment, I can t think of anyone I know who s had a baby after her mother had passed. Well, only [my mother-in-law] Ann White, whom I just thought of. I called [my best girlfriend], and I think I ve been calling her in hopes of her filling the void. I can t seem to reach her, though. I don t want to be ungrateful in any way, LORD. I am so happy and awed You have blessed me this way. And I deeply miss my mother This is a new grief, an unanticipated assault. Help me. Comfort me. Show me the way in and through this, I pray. I trust and know and believe You will. I don t believe my feelings belie my trust in, belief in, and knowledge of You. I anticipate Your comforting and ministering Spirit, O God, because You said You would not leave me comfortless. And, I love You. And, it s obvious, eternal and true: You love me. Thank You, LORD. Thank You. I pray in the midst of grief in tears, relying on and calling upon the Sweet Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen. Postscript: The Word of God is true: God puts the lonely in families, Ps. 68:6. Later that day, as the LORD would have it, I received encouragement, support, and love from my husband, mother-in-law, and a member of my church family, each of whom God used as blessed comfort to me through this moment of unexpected sorrow. IV. Poetry and Other Voices We as women have so much to offer But our giving begins with our families The center where God resides 6

If we fail here How can we move into the world? Women have a special responsibility When our children talk to us listen When our husbands need encouragement offer a warm embrace When our sisters and brothers need a kind word offer it When our parents need love and patience provide it 8 When You Are a Mother When you are a mother the world doesn t stop just because you get the flu it just goes faster. When you are a mother sleep is a privilege not a right. When you are a mother Yo Gabba Gabba and Wonder Pets are your favorite shows not The Young and the Restless. When you are a mother you gave up the right to just be you. When you are a mother everything seems so much harder than they were when you were single. Well they are. Being a mother is the hardest, most important role one could ever take on. Too bad we don t get trophies when they have reached 18. Instead we get licensed in psychology. 9 Quotes 10 Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to jump at de sun. We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground. Zora Neale Hurston Yes, Mother. I can see you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me. Alice Walker Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. Oprah Winfrey Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love. Stevie Wonder 7

My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother. Wilma Rudolph My mother never gave up on me. I messed up in school so much they were sending me home, but my mother sent me right back. Denzel Washington V. Other Resources Call to Worship/Responsive Reading for Mother s Day All: All-knowing God, Who has called us to this place at such a time as this, we come from Bunche Park and the Bahamas, Jamaica and Jacksonville, Monticello and Miami Gardens the many places too numerous to name, where our mothers raised us, nurtured us, and taught us Your Holy Name. We celebrate our holy heritage, O God, and the homes of our youth, for as in one body, we have many members. Divine Nurturer, Who shaped and developed us so that now we are teachers, preachers, cooks, caretakers, nurses, professors, pharmacists, students, administrators, stay-at-home mothers, doctors, lawyers the realization of our mothers prayers and our grandmothers dreams. We celebrate our holy heritage, O God, and the education and training for today and of our yesterdays, for as in one body, we have many members, and not all the members have the same function. Jehovah-Jirah, Who blessed us with mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and other mothers, who bent their backs cleaning other folks homes, cooking other folks food, caring for other folks babies, teaching other folks children, picking cotton, pushing paper all the while relying on You to make ways out of no way. We celebrate our holy heritage, O God, and the Black women in our lives, who provided for and equipped us. We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Sovereign God, the God of our weary years, the God of our silent tears, Thou Who has brought us thus far on the way, Thou Who has by Thy might, led us into the light. Keep us forever in the path, we pray. As we celebrate and continue our holy heritage, O God, let our love be genuine, let us hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor 8

and always remember the loving legacy of the black women of strength, courage, faith, and love whom You sent as blessings before us. Remembering Eve, the mother of us all, uniquely created in Your image, We give You thanks, O God, for the foremothers of our faith. Remembering Miriam, Sarah, Rachel, Rebekah, and Deborah, each uniquely dispatched in Your divine destiny, We give You thanks, O God, for the foremothers of our faith. Remembering Zipporah, Hagar, Rahab, and Huldah, each uniquely fortified by Your faithfulness and favor, We give You thanks, O God, for the foremothers of our faith. Remembering Mary, the virgin mother; the woman at the well; Mary Magdalene and the woman with the issue of blood, uniquely molded by Your manifold mercies, We give You thanks, O God, for the foremothers of our faith. Remembering Sarah Allen, Jarena Lee, Rosa Parks, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and every praying, prophesying, and preaching women down through the ages, each uniquely anointed by Your amazing grace, We give You thanks, O God, for the foremothers of our faith, Your daughters of divine destiny, our heritage of holiness. 11 Bulletin Cover for Mother s Day http://www.biography.com/womens-history/mothers-day.jsp http://www.deepershopping.com/church-supplies/mothers-day-churchbulletins.html http://www.bibleknowledgebookstore.com/church-supplies/mothers-day-churchbulletins.html Notes 9

1. Rice, Susan Tracy and Robert Haven Scahuffler. Mother s Day: Its History, Origin, Celebration, Spirit, and Significance as Related in Prose and Verse. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1990. 2. History of Mother s Day. http://www.biography.com/womens-history/mothersday.jsp accessed 5 February 2011 3. Faith of Our Mothers, Hymnlyrics.org Hymn Center. http://www.hymnlyrics.org/lyricsf/faith_of_our_mothers.html accessed 5 February 2011 4. The Staple Singers. Will The Circle Stay Unbroken. http://www.justsomelyrics.com/1437406/the-staple-singers-will-the-circle-beunbroken-lyrics accessed 5 February 2011 5. Every Day Is Like Mother s Day. By Shirley Caesar. http://www.music-lyricsgospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/everyday_is_like_mothers_day_13638.asp accessed 5 February 2011 6. Walker, Alice. In Search of Our Mother s Gardens: Womanist Prose. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1983. 7. Originally published in The Capital Outlook. 8. Young, Jean Childs, as quoted in Young, Andrea. Life Lessons My Mother Taught Me. New York, NY: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putman, 2000. This selection is from a speech given by the late Jean Childs Young, who was married to Ambassador Andrew Young. 9. African American Motherhood. When You Are a Mother. http://www.africanamericanmotherhood.com accessed 5 February 2011 10. Lewis, Jone Johnson. Quotes on Mothers and Motherhood. http://womenshistory.about.com/od/motherhood/a/mother_quotes.htm accessed 5 February 2011 11. Call to Worship/Responsive Reading for Mother s Day by Maria Mallory White 10